Travelling,Shopping and Food in Asia

There are many people who do not follow any religion. This is their right and nobody can force them to change. The important thing is that their life should be meaningful, in other words that deep down they should be happy. Happy, but without harming others. If our satisfaction means that others have to suffer, then sooner or later we will suffer too.

An effective method to overcome fear   is to shift one's concern from oneself to others. When we actually see the difficulties that other people face, our own semmless enormous. When we come to the aid of others, our confidence is boosted and our fear and anguish are lessened. It is, of course, necessary for our desire to help to be sincere. If the only reason we have for helping others is to free ourselves from our predicament, it will bring us back inevitably to ourselves and our fears.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a Day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of Him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty Mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the Students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the Golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They Agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of Course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar Was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and
Poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space Between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize That this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important Things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your Favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and Your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the Jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf Balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the Small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to You.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with Your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take Time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take Care of the priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
Represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked."

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's Always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

If we have a serious illness, we often see it in the most
negative way possible. If we have a head injury, we think to
ourselves, 'This is really the worst thing that could have
happened to me. If only it were a problem with my legs!"
Instead of telling ourselves that thousands of others are
suffering at least as much as we are, we feel sorry for ourselves
as if we were the only person in the world to experience
suffering.

And yes it is possible to adopt the reverse attitude and to
think, if our arms are paralysed, 'I can no longer use my arms,
but at least my legs can still spport me;' And if it's our legs
'My legs will no longer carry me. but I can get around in a
wheel chair and I can still write with my hands. ' Simple
thought like these are enough to bring comfort.

Before you speak, listen.
Before you write, think.
Before you spend, earn.
Before you invest, investigate.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you pray, forgive.
Before you quit, try.
Before you retire, save.
Before you die, give.

Whenever if you suffer from a serious long term condition, there is
definitely a way of not falling into despair. If you are a Buddhist,
tell yourself: ' May this sickness purify my past negative actions.
May I also take on the suffering of others, and go through it in
their place.' Consider that countless beings are suffering just like
you and pray that your suffering may help to appease theirs. If
you don't not have the strength to reflect in this way, the simple
fact of being aware that you are not alone and that many others
are in the same situation will help you to bear your hardship.

If you are a Christian, and you have faith in God as creator
of the universe, comfort yourself by thinking, 'I have not
wanted suffering, but there must be a reason for it since
God, in his compassion, has given me life.'

If you do not have religious faith, you can think that
however terrible your misfortune, you are not the only one to
suffer in this way. Even if you have no belief, try to imagine,
above the area of your pain, a vivid light that pervades and
dissoles your pain, and see if that helps.

Last week you probably have read about these places, see the place for yourself.

http://rockerteers2.multiply.com/photos/album/24

http://rockerteers2.multiply.com/photos/album/26

http://rockerteers2.multiply.com/photos/album/25

Cheers!

By the way, I forgot to mention this place ...is a
must see..The tip of Borneo located at Simpang Mengayau, Kudat.

Sabah is kind of hilly, about 3hrs drive through scenic countryside to Kudat. Along the way, you will get the chance to see the beautiful scenery. Is great. But I would like to remind you, there' no "pee stop" that you could make cos is unlike the North South Highway in Peninsular Malaysia. Be prepare not to drink so much of water.You could alos stop over by the road side to buy some grilled corn/maize. Is very thin and unlike the usual corn stcik you see anywhere. This is very sweet and is called Jagung susu (literally translated as milk corn) and the local ground nuts.

BEfore you reach kudat, there is this aborigines called the Rungus. En-route visit Sumangkap Village, well known for its "Gong" making skill by its local artisan. Proceed to the Bavanggazo Village for a Longhouse visit. Built entirely using local materials, it is a home to the Rungus people community, a sub-tribe of the indigenous kadazandusun. Observe their very own unique bead works, lifestyle and costumes. (Don't expect 5 star)You can also stay there if want to experience the Rungus lifestyle with a certain fee. And you can request them to cook for you.

And further down the road the government has this programme for the Rungus villagers something like cottage industry....One village One industry. Some village specialise in making drums, Honey, etc.

Once you reached Kudat, is so different. Fishing is the core business. They would get out to the sea very early morning. They have a market just for fish and a market just for vegetables.

Visit the fish market, they are all fresh from the sea and cheap.And you can see the squid changing clors. Is still alive. And some fishes too as they are still breathing. YOu probaly don't find certain fish in Peninsular Malaysia.

Is quite a journey to get in to Simpang Mengayau from Kudat (approx 40 km)cos you will pass by some off roads and oil palm plantation. And once you are greeted by Sulu & South China Sea, you will know you are there. Strong wind, high waves, beautiful sea front

Perhaps a chance in your lifetime, upon reaching here, one must know that you are now standing right at the tip of Borneo, hence its popular name "The Northern Tip of Borneo". In addition to its fascinating scenery of long stretch white sandy beach, its beautiful northern tip sea, the breeze of wind blow, this tip was blessed with a wide publicity especially in Borneo, through popular mass media, and the latest 2003 book edition entitling 'Kudat', with the northern tip photo as a full front cover. Complete your journey in Borneo by stepping your foot here.

How many of you cook? Well, this is very simple dish and quick one too. Is simple but yet it will be a disaster the end result is not waht you want. Here goes the recipe as follows:-

Ingredient2 eggs
Water (= 6 eggs of water for 2 eggs)
salt & pepper to taste

Garnishing
Chopped Spring onion
Deeped fried Shallots
Sesame Oil
Light soya sauce

Methods
Beat the 2 eggs with water lightly ( do not create bubble) with some salt & pepper till the egg yolk & white are incoporated with water. U can use the a deep plate to steam the egg

IMPORTANT
The amount of water is very important in order to get the right texture for your steamed egg. If too much of water, it will turn water. Too little water will cause your steamed to be hard. It should taste like beancurd but softer & Smoother. To get the right amount of water is to use the egg shell to measure the water. 1 egg requires 3eggs water.

Use a steamer with medium fire. Make sure that water is already boiling before you put in the plate of beaten eggs. Ensure the steamer's egg is not fully covered. Let the lid slightly tilted.Allow some steam to get off and also the steam water will not drip directly into the the beaten egg.

Steam for 5 mins. Take a look whether the steamed eggs is fully stabilised or else wait for another 3 mins. When you serve, mix all the garnishing together and sprinkle on top of the steam egg.

The next time I will give a little more variations of steam egg. Learn the basic first..Happy trying!

Have a great weekend!

....Here we come Kg Kelias after the Kinabalu Park.
It was a long Journey as my friend drove all the way to Beaufort. All of us we anxious what Kampung Kelias look like.

It was raining & the weather doesn't look promising for us to do anything when we arrive at Kg Klias. We have no idea what our friend had installed for us. Finally, when we arrive at the village, we were somehow greeted by jungle and lots of coconut trees and suddenly we saw this Rungus Longhouse and a river with boats parking by the jetty.

This village was set up by a local chinese and a foreign wife who loves nature I guess. One can choose to saty at the longhouse with basic amenities and the other one is a kampung house with air-cond & attached bathroom. So some of us choose to experience longhouse & some of us choose a little luxury accomodation. Can't rememeber how muich it cost us but worth it cos the package comes with 1 night accomodation, 5 meals for 2days/1night stay. They have got a very good cook . By the time we arrive there it was tea time, we some goreng pisang with tea or coffee. Then off we got onto the boat for a river adventure.

Dunno what we are looking at and what to expect. And the boatman suddenly pointed to us "look to your left" there's a group of monkeys. So what, as we have seen a lot in Botanical garden in Penang. Then he said this is call the probosis Monkey with long nose and orange color. And that caught our eyes.It's so cute and they were swinging from trees to trees and were shy. And some other animals that they showed us. Before we could venture further, it rained heavily that we have to return to base. All of us were soaked wet & chilled. Guess v r not welcome

Then it was time for dinner, then we continue for another river adventure.Looking out for firefly, we have to move silently so that we dun interrupt the firefly. WOW!it was amazing to "klip - klip" at night. Twinkle twinkle little star..... It was very dark that you wondering whether any crcodile will attack you silently!!!

We head back to base after that and we had supper. Another liek supper. Enjoy this palce cos is quite quiet and serene. Kampung Lifestyle.Sometime we need to get out of city...this is a great place to recharge.

And the next morning after b'fast we are out again for another boat ride to see the sunset,monkeys again and the river view is so fantastic.

Then by noon we headed back to Kota Kinabalu to have lunch and did some shopping at the Filipino market. Bought some pearls (breed ones)- . Got to bargain with them.Seafood is cheap. You can buy a frozen one and just tell them you want to carry it to the plane as they will specially packed for you . Sea Cucumber, dried shrimps and prawns are relatively cheap in KK.

Will definately go to Sabah again...Will post some pictures later

...After Manukan Island, we took the speedboat back to mainland and rent a SUV (Cost less than RM200.00..Aprrox USD60), we headed to Kinabalu Park (the foothill of Mount Kinabalu- the highest peak in Malaysia & South East Asia).The journey to Kinabalu Park HQ will take about 2 hours. The Kinabalu Park Headquarters lies at an elevation of 1,563 meters (5,128 feet) above sea level. The 90 kilometers (50 mile) drive along sealed road takes an easy journey but not until the road passes the little town of Tamparuli, after about 45 minutes, does it start to rise. Although clouds usually cover the summit by midday, in the early morning the mountain is often clear, the view constantly changing as the roads winds up and up. Some of the best views come near Kampung Kelawat at the kilometer 55 (to Ranau) mark, when the mountains rises dramatically ahead as you round the corner.

Shifting cultivation covers most of the hills around here, and at kilometer 33 the roadside stalls of Pekan Nabalu are well stocked with local produce. This is a regular tourist stop where a variety of good quality handicrafts can be purchased as well as the deliciously nutty flavored brown hill rice - a specialty of the area, together with extra sweet pineapples.

Rented a double storey bungalow, looks very english http://www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my/kinabalupark.htm. The weather is very cold at night & very misty along the way to Kinabalu Park. The Mountain Scenery was awesome & you will enjoy the flora & fauna while driving.

When we arrived at the park, we are unable to see the mountain peak at all. It was due to the misty weather.We checked in our bungalow, set up the fire (They provide woods at the fire place), we had tea & some biscuits),it felt so good. You can go to the information center and get all the information about Mount Kinabalu and Sabah Parks, know more about the flora of Mount Kinabalu in the mountain garden guided walk or maybe go to their mini-theater to watch video show about Mount Kinabalu. A fee of only a few ringgit is charged for each activity. You can buy a "package" ticket for all three.

There's only one restaurant there,so everyone got to eat there. Food is not bad & price is reasonable.They are open till 10.00am and seved western & oriental food

There's cable tv in the bungalow, so one can enjoy a lot of TV show. We slept early cos we got to get up early to get the sneak preview of the Kinabalu Peak. IF you wish to climb Mt Kinabalu, one got to be physically fit and get a week training. And you can't just climb the mountain without a pre arrange trip and one get must be a professional liscensed guide & permit to climb the mountain http://www.mount-kinabalu-borneo.com/.

We got up at 5am to catch the view of Mount Kinabalu (the later you get you probably see nothing cos the clouds will be covering the entire mountain), We drive our selve to Timpohon (the very foothill of Mt Kinabalu where you will begin your journey to climb the hill, you must report yourself before climb. Unfortunately, we are not geared to climb the mountain.Therefore , we just catch the glimpse of the mountain & enjoy the fantastice view of the surrounding & waterfalls.And we managed to catch the sunrise.

While we were there we saw a few loacl people who works on top of the hill, they climb up the mountain everyday with just simple gear. Mind you, they carry a lot of stuff up the hill, like gas tank, sands, bricks, tools....just wondering how they managed it...is a daily thing for them. People like us will probably half dead.

As you get out of the park...you can head to pouring hot spring http://www.mount-kinabalu-borneo.com/poring.html. But we didn't have enough time, we got to head ourselves to another place...check out next

Many of you may have heard of Borneo or Sipadan Island (the world famous or best diving spot). There are 2 states in Borneo belongs to Malaysia - Sabah & Sarawak. And below this 2 states is Kalimantan which is Indonesia.

Sabah is also known as the Land below the Wind. And the Capital city is Kota Kinabalu. I have made a trip there last year for 4 days/3 nights.It was a fruitful trip and very interesting indeed.

To get there, we took Air Asia www.airasia.com from Kuala Lumpur (thanks to Air Asia for making it affordable to travel nowadays to East Malaysia otherwise we have to fork out close to MYR1000 (USD350) to travel to Sabah with the other national airline those days)

When we arrived there we managed to cover the sea, hills & river adventure in 4 days.The moment we arrived we took a taxi to customs jetty and hop into a speed boat to Manukan Island. (one may have to wait cos the speed boat will wait for 7 - 10 passengers to fill up the boat) There's no specific time table. Do arrange for return transfer with a specific date given to the boatman.
And we have also arranged for Island Hoping with the boatman . The Islands are Mamutik & Sapi.

We stay a night at the resort (in between 3 star to 4 star resort) called the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. There are several category i.e double storey beach Lodges, beach lodge (single storey), & Hill lodge. You got to make an early reservation and not walk in like city hotels. This the one and only hotel available http://www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my/manukan.htm
The rooms are clean and well equiped. You can also tune into cable TV like HBO & Sports chanel.

If you followed the Amazing Race a few years ago, you may heard of this island as this is one of the venue that participants have their pit stop.

What we do over there. Well we spent a lazy time on the island, the water was crystal clear,you may swim & snorkel by the sea which is just a walk away from the room and you will surrounded with fishes and tropical corals. Is amazing. Becareful if you are very hairy cox this fishes are like gangster like my friend said, it bites. Probably the fish thought it was their food

There are many fishes which you can find (catching the fish & taking the corals are strictly prohibited and is against the law. You will be fined & jailed). You can read about the fishes that you see at the jetty where they put a posters of various fish found around the island. You can even feed the fish at night.You are only allowed to swim within the confined area so that the life guard is able to see you

While we were there it was a fasting month for the muslim, therefore my muslim friend brough some fruits & drink during the island hoping to break fast. She actually dig a hole on the beach and kept the food there and went for a swim, a smart monkey saw what she did, the monkey dug up the hole and ate all her food and drank up her packet drink... She was so upset & laughing at the incident at the same time.

There's only one restaurant on the island, therefore you probably have to dine in there. Or else bring your own instant food.

The next morning, we headed for a morning jungle walk. it was so breezy, the sun was shining thru the trees and sea. At 6am, you probably get sunlight here, it was indeed a beautiful scenery that will keep you snaping at every corner.

There are other area that one can explore but the crystal clear water is so captivating that I spent most of the time in the water & by the beach, just couldn't resist...Will keep you posted soon where I went after Manukan Island...